The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Olukayode Ajulo, has warned that Nigerian politicians seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections may lose eligibility if they defect from their political parties after Saturday’s deadline for membership registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated in a legal opinion released on Saturday that political parties are expected to submit their updated digital membership registers to INEC before the May 10, 2026 deadline, stressing that the register would determine eligibility for participation in party primaries and sponsorship for the 2027 polls.
According to him, any politician whose name does not appear in the submitted register of a political party would be barred from contesting on the platform of such a party.
The legal opinion, titled “Fixity of Political Party Membership and Sponsorship for the 2027 Polls,” was anchored on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026.
Ajulo explained that the law now compels political parties to maintain comprehensive digital membership records containing members’ National Identification Numbers, photographs, polling unit details and other biometric information.
He noted that the Electoral Act also outlaws dual party membership, warning that aspirants who switch parties after the submission deadline risk disqualification, while political parties that fail to comply with the provisions could lose the right to field candidates.
The senior lawyer argued that although the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, such rights are subject to electoral regulations aimed at strengthening party discipline and curbing indiscriminate defections.
Citing Sections 68 and 109 of the Constitution, Ajulo said elected lawmakers who defect from their parties without evidence of division or merger risk losing their seats.
He further maintained that judicial precedents had consistently upheld the principle that party sponsorship and nomination are tied to compliance with electoral guidelines at the relevant period.
Describing the Electoral Act 2026 as a decisive move against political cross-carpeting, Ajulo advised politicians planning to dump their parties to complete the process before the INEC deadline and ensure their names are removed from previous party registers.
He also urged political parties to ensure strict compliance while compiling their membership databases to avoid sanctions ahead of the primaries slated for April 23 to May 30, 2026.
The warning comes amid intensified political realignments and last-minute defections across major parties ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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